Airbus, Thales, Leonardo merge to counter Starlink
Three major European aerospace companies announced plans on Thursday to combine their satellite businesses and challenge Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service. Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo of Italy will create a venture with annual sales of 6.5 billion euros to strengthen European independence in space technology. The merger supports the European Union’s efforts to launch IRIS2, a 300-satellite constellation for secure communications, expected to operate by 2030.
The new company, called Bromo, would be based in Toulouse and become operational by 2027 if regulators approve the deal. Airbus will hold 35 percent while Thales and Leonardo each take 32.5 percent of the enterprise. French Finance Minister Roland Lescure welcomed the agreement as vital for European sovereignty. The partnership excludes rocket launchers such as Ariane systems that cannot be reused like SpaceX’s Falcon vehicles.
